Percutaneous lung tumor ablation

Percutaneous thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for primary or secondary malignancies of the lung. Currently, 3 different modalities are available: radiofrequency, microwave, and cryoablation. Radiofrequency ablation remains to date the most developed although the other 2 modalities have their own distinct advantages. Percutaneous ablation can be used for treatment of stage 1 and 2 non-small cell lung carcinoma either alone or in combination with other therapies. Specifically, their noninvasive nature allows them to be used on patients who are otherwise deemed nonoperable. Percutaneous ablation can also be used to treat stage 3a non-small cell lung carcinoma in carefully selected patients. With nonlung primaries, percutaneous ablation can be used to control limited pulmonary metastasis, recurrences after alternative treatments, or to provide pain relief. Although the long-term data for percutaneous ablation is still being investigated, their noninvasive nature and efficacy will ensure their viability and evolution in the future. In this article we review the indications for percutaneous ablation, evaluation of the potential patient, an overview of the ablation options currently available, procedural details, potential complications, and expected results and follow-up.